Every year, Eater looks back at the year that was along with friends and local dining experts. We reminisce about great meals, biggest grievances, neighborhood standbys, and now we name our top newcomers of the year.
James Norton, food editor of Growler Magazine, “I’m going to get out of the box (and the metro) a little bit for this one. JD Fratzke is doing great things down in Cannon Falls with Falls Landing and its sister restaurants at Artisan Plaza. And I have to shout out former Rabbit Hole cook Eric Halverson for what he’s doing with wood-fired, scratch-made food up at Rapids Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, it’s really knock-your-socks-off good.
And the St. Paul-based Estelle had a really strong opening; I’ll have a review out in our January print edition.”
Sarah Bumble and Em Cassel of City Pages, “Zetta’s, Soul Bowl, Magic Noodle.”
Sharyn Jackson of the Star Tribune, “Demi, obviously. Each and every Travail iteration. Willards, which is so worth the drive!”
Jess Fleming of the Pioneer Press, “ I’m loving Estelle in the old Bottle Rocket/Heartland space and Hot Hands Pie and Biscuit has really come in hot. That pot pie is ridiculous.”
Nancy Ngo of the Pioneer Press, “Magic Noodle, Pho Pasteur, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen and Rose Street Patisserie in Keg & Case, Estelle, Baldamar, P.S. Steak, Snack Bar, Minneapolis BBQ Co., revamped JUN, Don Raul, Lolito.”
Joy Summers, editor Eater Twin Cities, “Every iteration of Travail in Minneapolis was so fun. Demi was mind-blowing - I wish I could have gone more than just once. Meteor Bar is my version of a dive bar dream come true. Rose Street Cafe and Hot Hands are tied for breakfast loves. Wrecktangle Pizza became an obsession at first bite. Plus, finding all those incredible vendors inside Graze. It’s hard to pick between Midnord empanadas, pit beef at Carbon, Soul Bowl and the major comforts at Flagsmash. I’ve also had fantastic meals and one spectacular event at 4Bells with Scott Pampuch running the kitchen.
Mike Marcotte of Twin Cities Live, “Hope Breakfast Bar in Saint Paul. Pimento everything, please. Animales Barbecue outside Able in Northeast Minneapolis.”